It seems like we are at a time in the year when the number of birds has increased. I can hear them everywhere when I walk along the wooded trails of Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. The problem, though, is that most the leaves are still on the trees, so I am having huge problems spotting the birds and if I can’t see them, I can’t photograph them.
Earlier this week, I heard the familiar knocking sound of a woodpecker at work. I could see some movement in a tree amidst the foliage. I tracked the movement until suddenly the woodpecker popped into the open for a brief moment as it reached the top of the dead tree. I was able to capture this one shot of what appears to be a male Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)—only males have the red patch of feathers on the back of their heads. (The Hairy Woodpecker is similar in appearance to the Downy Woodpecker, but is larger and has a longer bill—the angle of this shot makes it tough for me to be absolutely certain of my identification.)
Downy Woodpeckers are the smallest woodpeckers in Northern America, but what they lack in size, they seem to make up in energy. They always seem to be super energetic and industrious and are one of the birds that I am able to spot throughout most the entire year.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Nice capture with leafy background, Mike. I expect you are seeing a flood of avian migrants these days, though woodpeckers, to my knowledge, are year round residents.
Thanks, Eliza. We have been getting some of the migrating species coming through. Today, for example, I saw some Palm Warblers and Yellow-rumped Warblers. There are probably lots more that experienced birders would be able to spot–I am a neophyte when it comes to birding.
Nice capture of this little fellow, Mike! I’m glad to know you are at least hearing more birds. We are still in quite a lull.
Nice Mike! Always fun to photograph woodpeckers!
Indeed it is. I have always admired the intense focus of woodpeckers as they pack away in search of insects.
I love seeing these little guys at work – unless it’s on something in my yard, like my house. Great photo, Mike.
I understand that, Dan. Gardeners have the same reaction when I photograph pests that damage their plants. 🙂